App Store showdown: effects processors for the iPhone

No amp? No pedals? No problem. Ars takes a look at the two guitar effects …

Guitar effects processing software is nothing new. Effects processing software for the iPhone—which puts advanced effects processing power in your pocket—is a new phenomenon, however. Currently, there are two players: IK Multimedia, makers of the popular AmpliTube simulation software for Mac and PC, and indie developer Agile Partners, in partnership with Peavey.

Both companies make apps that use a combination of hardware and software to capture audio signals from a guitar and process them to produce a wide range of sounds, including amp simulation, distortion, and other effects. But which should you get? Read on to find out.

Hardware

You might expect the best way to get audio onto an iPhone would be through the dock connector, but both companies use the 1/8-inch headphone jack instead. Their respective devices work primarily the same way: instead of connecting a guitar to an amplifier, the 1/4-inch cable plugs into the units. Each device has a tail (the AmpLiNK cable is a good deal longer than the iLink) that plugs into an iPhone, iPod touch (second-generation or later), or iPad's headphone jack. Lastly, a pair of headphones needs to be plugged into the 1/8-inch jack on either device. Headphones are necessary, as neither application will output sound through the speaker while the headphone jack is occupied.

Neither unit feels particularly rugged, but the Peavey unit looks and feels significantly cheaper than than its competitor. The only major difference, aside from build quality, is that the Peavey unit takes two AA batteries, which power a small headphone amp. The amp does affect the device's performance, which we will get to later in the showdown. Each piece of hardware retails for $39.99, a price that does not include the cost of software.

Software

Each application involves four primary parts of the effects processing chain: the effects themselves, amplifiers, speaker cabinets, and microphones. A slight alteration to any of the four could lead to either a subtle or drastic change to the final sound. AmpliTube and AmpKit both offer free versions, which come with a minimum number of options and a number of à la carte equipment available for in-app purchase. Pieces of equipment range in cost from $0.99 to $6.99. The two applications also have $19.99 versions. IK Multimedia calls this version AmpliTube, while Agile Partners call its version AmpKit+. Additionally, IK Multimedia sells AmpliTube LE, which costs $2.99 and offers a small sampling above and beyond AmpliTube Free.

The vast majority of users will likely want to purchase the $19.99 version of both pieces of software. Buying the $19.99 packages makes more financial sense, even if there are one or two effects that aren't your cup of tea (we created the chart below to illustrate what comes in the free and $19.99 versions). The full version of AmpliTube includes everything the application has to offer as far as effects are concerned. AmpKit's $19.99 version, however, has additional pieces available for purchase; all told, you could spend as much as $97.49 more to buy all the available effects options.

In AmpliTube, items are named rather generically, while the AmpKit "gear" comes with more creative names. Whichever method you prefer, however, in many cases you'll have to remember that the name typically refers to some well-known piece of equipment that can't be named for trademark reasons.

For instance, the "Elevenizer" effect in AmpKit is modeled after the classic Ibanez Tube Screamer distortion pedal. The in-app purchase section of AmpKit tells the user what most of the gear is modeled after, which makes things easier, especially those familiar with that hardware.

Although AmpliTube doesn't come out and say it, it's fairly obvious that some of their equipment is modeled in a similar way. For instance, in AmpliTube, "Fuzz" also appears to be a Tube Screamer—as in AmpKit, the image of the pedal is the same signature shade of green that one would associate with the Ibanez unit. AmpKit is the only application of the two that has any brand-name gear at all, thanks to the partnership with Peavey.

Presets

Both apps offer ways to save and access presets, but they do so in different ways. Each has its advantages in certain situations, but neither is perfect. Upon first use, AmpliTube's way of representing presets is terrible, as each preset is represented by a number and nothing else. The numbers are laid out on a grid, and if you have a great memory the system makes it easier to switch between effects, as the need for scrolling is minimal.

AmpKit's preset functionality is more user friendly. Each preset can be named, and there are small images of each piece of kit displayed under the name. It isn't as easy to switch between presets due to the need to scroll, but finding the one you want is generally much easier by comparison.

AmpliTube on the left, AmpKit on the right.

While both applications come with some presets already preprogrammed, AmpKit's are locked. You can copy the original and then edit, but you can't delete the original. AmpliTube's custom presets are unlabeled and, compared to AmpKit, somewhat disappointing. We'll call this one a toss-up.

I was not at all happy with IK Multimedia releasing an iPad version of their app one week after introducing the iPhone version and then expecting buyers who had purchased the app to pay another $20. They could have a)released a universal app, b)delayed the release of the app by a week to release both at the same time, c)mentioned on their web site that a separate iPad version was coming, and warned iPad owners to just get the free version to get used to until then, or d)offered an in-app purchase upgrade or promo codes to those f us who paid full price for the app.

Needless to say, I didn't buy the upgrade, putting the money toward AmpKit/AmpKit Link, which I am much happier with - less noise and named presets being the major reasons why.

I like the one-click access to lots of presets in Amplitube but hopefully they'll make some minor changes to keep it more convenient and a little better for those of us with short attention spans (kind of like this reviewer who calls almost everything even in one respect then concludes that AmpKit is leagues better? Seems like the conclusions are far different than the rest of the review would lead us to believe).

Personally, I think Amplitube sounds a lot better for the reason mentioned - they know what they are doing. Plus, Agile might as well have partnered with Crate or some other B-grade amp maker since Peavey is about on that level. I think IK might have some concerns about being scolded (or worse) by manufacturers because they had a ton of this info on their PC version at one point I think and it was pulled and they said something about that? Or maybe because they are officially with Fender and GK and other manufacturers who might not want them to be as specific with others?

I'm comparing app to app though - the AmpKit device may be really good but I waded through many pages of user reviews and official reviews that IK compiled and posted the s**t out of all over (which was actually convenient and worked, obviously!) and decided not to wait and got irig. They also now post their awards separately at http://www.ikmultimedia.com/irig/awards I see, which helps me not feel any buyer's remorse but again I pulled the trigger on the hardware before AmpKit Link was out so I can't rightfull say I think irig is a better adapter.

I'd probably say the hardware is about equal since I'm really surprised to hear about the feedback since AmpKit goes out of the way to be battery powered and they've been saying this is to bust feedback.

I wish this review would tell me in general whether or not software amps/effects boxes are a viable alternative to actual ones. I know that this should probably be considered a toy thing, but I'd like to know for sure.

Guy in a guitar store told me that looping your guitar audio through a [consumer] computer like your Mac will give it a crappy result thats limited to the hi fi signal that comes out of your machine, which is nussing compared to hooking it up to a real amp.

I was not at all happy with IK Multimedia releasing an iPad version of their app one week after introducing the iPhone version and then expecting buyers who had purchased the app to pay another $20. They could have a)released a universal app, b)delayed the release of the app by a week to release both at the same time, c)mentioned on their web site that a separate iPad version was coming, and warned iPad owners to just get the free version to get used to until then, or d)offered an in-app purchase upgrade or promo codes to those f us who paid full price for the app.

Needless to say, I didn't buy the upgrade, putting the money toward AmpKit/AmpKit Link, which I am much happier with - less noise and named presets being the major reasons why.

I posted before I saw this, as you can see from my post I've been watching both and as someone who has obviously paid more attention than you, you might want to be careful in your overstatement here.

The iPhone and iPad versions of Amplitube were at least six weeks apart. Please don't misinform, that's pretty shady in my opinion. Also, it appears you might make your gear-buying decisions based more on emotions (like entitlement from what I can read in your response, maybe a touch of anger? Sorry, but it just seems a bit aggressive dude) than on other factors. Other factors including facts like a matter of at least FIVE weeks difference in release date just to try to diss a product.

I see elsewhere that you didn't like what they offered for a solution and, if I had an iPad and had done the same I'd agree with that part though. The part you didn't mention here, of course. IK gave some of their internal points or whatever which can't be used in the App Store to people who bought both. Kind of a "big whoop" reaction to that here too, but I really would have still said "not a big deal" though not great a solution. Of course if I spend 500-800 on a device and get caught up in another $20 to a company I'd probably just say "meh" and move on - or just wouldn't buy the one I wasn't forced to buy (as I also see was pointed out to you by people on some forums too).

The most expensive app purchase for iPhone I've made is Agile Partners Guitar Toolkit for $9.99.

Worth...every...penny.

I play bass and run as many as 3 instrument changes during a gig. I use a Stingray 5, a Fender Jazz 4 string custom shop axe, and a Tacoma Thunderchief 5 string acoustic.

The Tuner piece has saved me enormous time and grief. I don't have to plug/unplug an inline tuner when I change guitars. The Chord and Metronome pieces are great for practice and studio work.

While I don't have a need for effects and amp modeling, I'd go with the Agile Partners app/hardware if I did.

(I use a BOSS BP-80 bass pedal and a Mark Bass 2x10 digital amp about 95% of the time, so I have both of those setup for all the stuff I need on stage. If I have to use the house amp, the BP-80 usually works to overcome any sound issues)

There are some other good apps out there also; PocketAmp, iShred, Amps & Cabs.My favorite is PocketAmp, www.pocketlabworks.com, which has most of the features of these apps, includes universal iOS support with full screen for iPad, and lets you play with your iTunes music!

I'm not sure I buy the whole portability argument because even the smallest guitar gig bag is going to have a pocket large enough to keep a pocket pod or similar device. Why bother with a dongle plugged into your phone? I suppose it is cheaper than a dedicated hardware device *shugs*

Personally, I think Amplitube sounds a lot better for the reason mentioned - they know what they are doing. Plus, Agile might as well have partnered with Crate or some other B-grade amp maker since Peavey is about on that level.

This is such a crud statement in so many ways.

Aside from 5150 and maybe the nicely-priced Classic 30 I'm not thinking that's crud at all. I know we shouldn't base opinions solely on "what famous players use what" so aside from that... ask anybody what five great amp makers come to mind and surely you'll hear five others from almost any player from basement rocker to famous artist? There's a reason for that and it isn't just marketing. Also, if you go to Musician's Friend and search for Peavey, you'll see "Best Sellers" pop up there, and lo and behold it is mainly PA systems. Are the major amp companies known for making amps or PA systems and everything else? Seems quite "Behringer" to me. Nothing wrong with that, just doesn't class them with the big boys or even the boutique guys doing what they do best.

So I stand by the statement not being crud at all. Though I'll admit I'd buy a Peavey before a Crate any day so perhaps that was a touch harsh.

I'm not sure when i'm ever doing something worth of showing, but I'm in love with nanoStudio... it was expensive for an iphone app (15 bucks), but it's just so worth every penny. What people with talent beyond mine have been able to do with that little app is just outstanding.

Now that there's some way to use third party accessories on iOS software not related to the maker of those, I hope to see better software.

ask anybody what five great amp makers come to mind and surely you'll hear five others from almost any player from basement rocker to famous artist?

Honestly, it depends who you ask, and what style they prefer to play. Peavey excels a lot in the heavier tones. You might not see them mentioned much from people who play the Blues, but you will certainly see them mentioned more from those who play hard rock and metal.

I wish this review would tell me in general whether or not software amps/effects boxes are a viable alternative to actual ones. I know that this should probably be considered a toy thing, but I'd like to know for sure.

My rule of thumb for that type of question is... if you're a real stickler, nothing is gonna sound as good as the real hardware. But a lot of these types of emulations sound pretty darn close. So the question is, is it worth hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars more to get the genuine hardware? In some cases I've invested in the real thing. In other cases, I'm really happy to save money and space with these sorts of products.

@cubemoss Thanks for your response. I forgot to mention that I mean the sound of the guitar that supposedly gets lost in the hi fi signal, not so much the difference between virtual and physical amps or effects. Guitar store guy says that if I hook my Gretsch up to my Mac, I might as well have bought a Squier guitar.

I wish this review would tell me in general whether or not software amps/effects boxes are a viable alternative to actual ones. I know that this should probably be considered a toy thing, but I'd like to know for sure.

Guy in a guitar store told me that looping your guitar audio through a [consumer] computer like your Mac will give it a crappy result thats limited to the hi fi signal that comes out of your machine, which is nussing compared to hooking it up to a real amp.

Thoughts?

This is more or less true. "Crappy" might be overstating it, but obviously the quality will be limited to whatever ins/outs the iPhone (or even a PC, if you go for a PC option) has. I can't imagine that the sound quality (including noise) on the iPhone is great enough for "serious" use, but I could be wrong. I will say that I was impressed by a friend's guitar interface (forget the model) when used in conjunction with AmpliTube's PC version. The only problem there was the (extremely minor) latency...which makes me wonder what the latency on these iPhone apps is like.

@cubemoss Thanks for your response. I forgot to mention that I mean the sound of the guitar that supposedly gets lost in the hi fi signal, not so much the difference between virtual and physical amps or effects. Guitar store guy says that if I hook my Gretsch up to my Mac, I might as well have bought a Squier guitar.

If you're talking about hooking up through the built-in line-in, maybe. If you're talking about hooking up through a proper external interface, I'd disagree.

I'm not sure when i'm ever doing something worth of showing, but I'm in love with nanoStudio... it was expensive for an iphone app (15 bucks), but it's just so worth every penny. What people with talent beyond mine have been able to do with that little app is just outstanding.

Now that there's some way to use third party accessories on iOS software not related to the maker of those, I hope to see better software.

Totally with you on that - nanostudio is an awesome, awesome app. ThumbJam is also a great music creation app with some sweet sounding guitars for those you can't play a guitar (poor sods , using the accelerometer to do bends and such, but also has about 20+ other instruments to noodle around with. Oh and it's a universal app as well.

And don't forget Multitrack DAW for mixing all of your stuff aka GarageBand/Protools. You can even hook up a USB mic (like the Blue Yeti) on your iPad through the camera connection kit and low and behold you got a recording studio.

Haven't tried these apps listed although Taylor just did an article about Sonoma Wire Works' "GuitarJack" which plugs into the iPhone /iPod touch's 30pin connector and has a bunch of EQ presets for a bunch of Taylor's acoustic models through Taylor's free EQ app (page 17). http://www.taylorguitars.com/woodandsteel/

Are you some kind of IK multimedia shill or something? First off Amplitube is probably the worst sounding software based amp emulation out there, imo. One of the best, especially for heavier, distortion heavy stuff is actually made or licensed by Peavey (Revalver MKIII). With Guitar Rig and Logic's Amps somewhere in between. Peaveys are usually used for heavy metal type music, their amps are quite popular with that crowd.

One of the first apps I bought on the iphone was GuitarToolkit which is an awesome app. Agile Partners know how to create great, useful iphone applications. It doesn't really matter anyway. I'm not sure about the IK multimedia version but Ampkit lets you use both software so buy one and then buy the software for the other.

Are you some kind of IK multimedia shill or something? First off Amplitube is probably the worst sounding software based amp emulation out there, imo. One of the best, especially for heavier, distortion heavy stuff is actually made or licensed by Peavey (Revalver MKIII). With Guitar Rig and Logic's Amps somewhere in between. Peaveys are usually used for heavy metal type music, their amps are quite popular with that crowd.

One of the first apps I bought on the iphone was GuitarToolkit which is an awesome app. Agile Partners know how to create great, useful iphone applications. It doesn't really matter anyway. I'm not sure about the IK multimedia version but Ampkit lets you use both software so buy one and then buy the software for the other.

Nope, I'm not the only one who thinks AmpliTube sounds better than most if not all software sims. Go to KVR and look for the thread where even an Axe-FX (hardware costing around $2K) lover admitted that similar quality was done with AmpliTube. The effects in Guitar Rig are great though, but I can't say I like any of the Logic amps. I've tried them all, yes Revalver too, and I'm not saying IK is the be all end all and certain I'm not a shill (they have some things that bother me, for sure), but AmpliTube sounds great to me. A combo of AmpliTube and Guitar Rig beats the others hands-down IMO.

Yes, Agile Partners make great apps, some that are tangentially music-related (not made to actually produce quality audio before this). I never said that they didn't but they are also far from an audio company. I'd rather have seen the Peavey or Native Instruments developers take a crack at this to be honest. Though iShred Live and a couple of others do sound pretty good too.

I'm so sorry to have insulted the fragile ego of the "heavy metal crowd" I didn't know there was such sensitivity there. Seriously, though, even there Peavey isn't really top of the heap from what I've seen and heard. Maybe I should look somewhere other than the Ultimate Metal forum and other similar places? Educate me, then. The crowd of which you speak seems to be favor other manufacturers but my findings are not scientific.

Feedback happens—it's a fact of guitar life. My observation is that feedback is about equally as common in either app. If you find yourself the victimcreator of some awesome feedback in one of these apps, the best solution to avoiding prolonged exposure toenjoyment of the ear-splitting shrill is to either unplug the headphones or turn offturn up the amplifier.

I purchased the AmpLink cable and thought I'd give both applications a try (and a third Amps & Caps). I have a full rig so I was (of course) very curious how it compared. BTW: I fully expect the sound not to live up to the quality of my tube distortion.

Both apps will work as great practice amp or recording. I play live performances and, as expected, my iPhone couldn't push out enough sound through my head and 4x12 cab to satisfy me. Which is kinda stupid anyway because I'm using a head and 4x12 cabinet simular within the app. DOH!

For me, I'd like to have something I could use for both live and studio performances--something more portable than my rig. (I know, what the heck am I using an iPhone for then? I should get a Rack 11, seriously!). Anyway, AmpLink, AmpliTube(I liked the tone) and Amps & Cabs(no FX) are not designed for live performance.

I see this is a market in it's infancy. Obviously, there's a long road ahead.

@cubemoss Thanks for your response. I forgot to mention that I mean the sound of the guitar that supposedly gets lost in the hi fi signal, not so much the difference between virtual and physical amps or effects. Guitar store guy says that if I hook my Gretsch up to my Mac, I might as well have bought a Squier guitar.

I'd stop taking advice from that "guitar store guy."

If Macs are just "consumer" computers, what's the deal with so many professional recording studios using them?

With a good interface your Gretsch will sound fine. (Well, a cheap Gretsch is no better than a Squier, so that's debatable.) If you're a stickler for getting the best input from your guitar going direct be sure to use a decent audio interface and either a pre amp and/or direct box. Be sure you have a nice direct tone before running the plug-ins.

My rig is an iMac with a Universal Audio Solo-610 as my direct box/mic pre, going through a Apogee Duet and monitoring through KRK Rokits. For recording I mic my amp (not a huge amp sim fan) with a Heil HR40 (going through UA Solo-610). Sounds great to me.

But as cmacd pointed out, what is the latency of these FX running on iOS devices? It really doesn't matter *what* it sounds like if the latency is too high - We're not supposed to be able to detect latencies below 20ms but as a musician myself, I know I can hear the difference all the way down to around the 4-6ms mark. I have worked with many guitarists who, at once blown away by something like Guitar Rig, as soon as you ask them to jam, they're like, "wait, what is this nonsense".

Given my experience of the desktop equivalents of these apps, and knowing that the iDevice hardware can't possibly outperform that, surely this is only going to be useful for non-live performing? Anyone have any info/experience regarding the latency please?

Given my experience of the desktop equivalents of these apps, and knowing that the iDevice hardware can't possibly outperform that, surely this is only going to be useful for non-live performing? Anyone have any info/experience regarding the latency please?

I retried each of apps Amp& Cabs, AmpKit and ApmpliTube with latency in mind. I found that (for me) only AmpKit had only a very slight hit of latency but generally I did not notice it. NOTHING like GuitarRig.

r venosa Thanks for your rig setup. Currently using an Ada MP1, Quadraverb, MosValve Amp & Marshall 4x12. Then I use a 4033 Audio Technica Mic for recording into my MBP. Thinking of getting a direct box pre to by-pass the Amp/Cab for recording purposes.

But as cmacd pointed out, what is the latency of these FX running on iOS devices? It really doesn't matter *what* it sounds like if the latency is too high - We're not supposed to be able to detect latencies below 20ms but as a musician myself, I know I can hear the difference all the way down to around the 4-6ms mark. I have worked with many guitarists who, at once blown away by something like Guitar Rig, as soon as you ask them to jam, they're like, "wait, what is this nonsense".

Given my experience of the desktop equivalents of these apps, and knowing that the iDevice hardware can't possibly outperform that, surely this is only going to be useful for non-live performing? Anyone have any info/experience regarding the latency please?

With AmpliTube + iRig, there is a setting in the software to switch between high and low latency. The high latency setting is definitely noticeable enough to be annoying -- wouldn't want to use it live. Low latency is barely noticeable, but then you end up with occasionally audio glitches. Along with the noise and the possibility of getting a phone call mid-gig, I wouldn't use it live.